If you’re one of the thousands of Nevadans who work for yourself – whether as a rideshare driver, freelance writer, handyman, or small business owner – there’s good news coming out of Carson City.
Senate Bill 336 (SB336), introduced by Senator Lori Rogich (R-Clark), is aiming to help independent contractors and sole proprietors better prepare for life’s what-ifs without dragging them into red tape or threatening their status as self-employed.
In plain terms: it gives gig workers a new tool to save for things like health expenses, insurance, and even retirement.
What the Bill Does
SB336 allows independent workers to open something called a “portable benefit account.”
Think of it like a personal benefits piggy bank. You can put money into it, and use it to pay for health insurance premiums, prescription drugs, medical bills, or even life insurance and retirement accounts.
And it’s not just for you – you can use it to help your spouse or kids too.
Best of all, if someone hires you for a job, they can also pitch into your account – if you agree to it.
This might mean withholding a small percentage of your payment and sending it into your benefits account instead.
But here’s the key: it’s totally optional, and you can back out of it at any time without any penalty.
Why This Matters
This bill is a big step forward for worker freedom and responsibility.
Right now, many independent contractors don’t get the kinds of benefits regular employees do – no company health insurance, no paid time off, no safety net.
And let’s face it, life happens. Whether it’s a broken leg, a new baby, or just trying to save for the future, having money set aside can make a huge difference.
SB336 lets these workers take more control over their own financial well-being. It supports people who want to work for themselves and make their own schedule, while still planning smart for the future.
“It’s about flexibility,” Rogich said. “This gives workers more choices without government strings attached.”
It Protects Independent Status
One of the best parts of this bill is what it doesn’t do.
Critics of other benefit programs often worry they might turn gig workers into employees in the eyes of the law – meaning more taxes, more regulations, and fewer freedoms.
SB336 heads that concern off at the pass.
The bill specifically says that just because you open one of these accounts – or even if a client contributes to it – it can’t be used as proof that you’re really an employee.
That means you still stay your own boss, with all the independence that comes with it.
That’s a big win for contractors and the businesses that hire them. It keeps the government from blurring the lines and turning a flexible job into a paperwork nightmare.
No Extra Cost to Taxpayers
Another reason conservatives are backing this bill? It doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime.
There’s no government spending attached. No new agencies. No mandates.
Just a voluntary system that Nevadans can use if they want to, run through private banks or investment firms.
In an era where so many bills mean higher taxes and more regulations, SB336 is refreshingly simple: give folks a tool to help themselves and get government out of the way.
What Critics Say
A few opponents have raised concerns that this could open the door to more government control down the road or be confusing for some workers to manage.
But the bill’s supporters point out that it’s 100% optional. Nobody is forced to open an account or participate.
Plus, with more people choosing gig work over 9-to-5 jobs, now’s the time to make sure they’re not left behind when it comes to health care or retirement planning.
Bottom Line
SB336 is a smart, common-sense solution for the modern workforce.
It respects worker freedom, encourages personal responsibility, and keeps the government out of your wallet.
If Nevada wants to stay friendly to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and independent workers, this bill is a step in the right direction.
Let’s help Nevadans help themselves – without turning every freelancer into a government employee.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
